As an engineer with a passion for technology, he transitioned into entrepreneurship to address the practical needs of small African businesses. He now provides them with straightforward, accessible digital tools that simplify their management and facilitate their digital transformation.
Razak Hachimou, a Beninese telecommunications engineer and tech entrepreneur, is the co-founder and CEO of Iwo Group, a company established in 2020 that specializes in digitalizing and optimizing management processes.
Iwo Group has developed a fully digital accounting platform tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), self-employed individuals, and accountants. This comprehensive solution streamlines financial operations, enabling users to produce financial statements, manage daily accounting, and access expert professional support. A key advantage of the platform is its robust data security, safeguarding information against loss due to theft or device failure.
Among its features, the application includes a module called "la caisse" (the cash register), specifically designed to simplify accounting for users without a financial background. This system bypasses traditional debit-credit entries, making financial management more accessible.
"It offers an SME manager the opportunity to make minimalist accounting entries such as income and expenses, allowing them to access data like their revenue, profit, and expenses over a period through a dashboard, and to generate their financial statement (balance sheet) at the end of their fiscal year with a single click," Hachimou explained in 2024. "It also allows accounting firms to remotely monitor their clients’ accounts."
Before co-founding Iwo Group, Hachimou was the Deputy CEO of Wanee Sarl, a firm he co-founded in 2017, specializing in continuing education in digital technologies and computer engineering. He held this position until 2022.
Hachimou's academic background includes a higher technician diploma in industrial computing and maintenance, obtained in 2011 from the Cerco Institute in Benin. He furthered his education by earning an engineering degree in telecommunications in 2014 from the Multinational School of Telecommunications (EMST) in Dakar, Senegal.
Following his studies, Hachimou worked as a trainer for SES Satellites in Senegal and Niger. From 2015 to 2022, he also served as the West Africa representative for PoulSAT, a telecommunications company based in Washington D.C.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
• DRC signs smart village deal with Huawei
• Plan includes internet, digital training, and public service upgrades
The Democratic Republic of Congo signed, on Friday, May 23, a partnership with Chinese technology multinational Huawei for the launch of a pilot smart village. This project aims to improve the living conditions of rural populations through digital technologies integrated into an ecosystem of services and connected objects.
“This project reflects our commitment to offering rural populations equal access to digital opportunities, while building the foundations of a modern, transparent, and connected state,” declared Mickael Lukoki Nsimba (photo, left), Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, during the signing ceremony.
The smart village, planned as a pilot project, intends to demonstrate the feasibility of technological solutions adapted to local realities. It notably provides for the implementation of high-speed internet access, training of young people in digital skills, as well as the connection of local public services, such as civil registry, health, and education.
This initiative is part of the national digital transformation strategy led by the Congolese government, which aims to modernize the state and reduce inequalities in access to digital technologies. It also reflects a trend observed at the continental level, supported notably by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank, which consider the digitization of rural areas as a lever for sustainable development and inclusion.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the digital divide remains pronounced, the initiative appears as a structural response to imbalances in access to connectivity. According to the Regulatory Authority of Posts and Telecommunications of Congo (ARPTC), only 30.79% of Congolese had access to mobile internet as of mid-2023, and barely 0.0174% to fixed internet. These figures reflect the considerable gap between urban and rural areas.
This imbalance is reinforced by the high cost of data, the lack of telecom infrastructure in remote areas, and the low integration of digital services in public administrations.
By equipping rural areas with digital infrastructure, the Congolese government intends to stimulate local economic development, strengthen access to essential services, and promote digital inclusion. This project could also serve as a model for other regions of the country facing the same challenges.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
• Morocco places AI at center of digital strategy, minister tells Parliament
• Plans include a new AI directorate, a UNDP-backed digital hub, and 12 regional Jazari Institutes
• Youth training programs to target ages 8–18 in digital and AI skills
Morocco is putting artificial intelligence (AI) at the forefront of its digital transformation efforts. Speaking before Parliament earlier this week, Minister Delegate for Digital Transformation and Administrative Reform, Amal El Fellah Seghrouchni, said the aim is to leverage digital tools to accelerate social and economic development.
The government plans several key initiatives, including the creation of a dedicated AI directorate and the launch of a regional Arab-African digital hub in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Additionally, a network of centers of excellence, dubbed the “Jazari Institute,” will be established across Morocco’s 12 regions.
Two national training programs targeting digital and AI skills for youth aged 8 to 18 are also in the works. To further unify efforts, a national AI conference is scheduled for July 1-2 in Rabat, aiming to foster a shared and responsible vision for AI development among stakeholders.
These measures are part of Morocco’s broader “Digital 2030” strategy, which seeks to harness AI’s potential to fast-track the digitalization of public and private services while nurturing a thriving digital economy. The government intends to back projects that consolidate data registers and frameworks, deploy AI use cases to improve citizen and business services, attract international AI experts, and support startups and companies in high-value-added sectors.
Moreover, the plan includes developing the skills and infrastructure necessary for responsible AI deployment, establishing evaluation mechanisms, and initiating multidisciplinary discussions on AI’s societal, legal, and economic impacts.
The United Nations recognizes AI’s potential to drive digital transformation. In its “E-Government Survey 2024,” the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) noted that AI technologies can enhance public sector operations by automating administrative tasks, increasing efficiency, and reducing backlogs and redundancies. The report also highlighted AI’s role in advancing sustainable development goals.
However, many of Morocco’s AI initiatives remain in the project phase, with their success hinging on effective implementation. DESA also cautions about AI-related risks, including algorithmic biases that may misrepresent certain groups, as well as ethical, security, and social challenges. The UN agency underscored that the ongoing digital divide poses a significant barrier to integrating AI technologies effectively in the public sector.
By Isaac K. Kassouwi,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
The centre is one of many steps Nigeria is taking to bridge the digital divide and build a resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven economy.
The Federal Government, through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has announced plans to establish at least 1,600 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres across Nigeria in the coming years as part of its push for inclusive digital transformation.
Speaking on May 15 during the inauguration of a new ICT centre in Akesan, Lagos, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa said the initiative aims to ensure every Nigerian—regardless of location or background—has access to digital tools, skills, and opportunities. According to Inuwa, NITDA has already established 222 ICT centres in the last two years, spread across three categories: school ICT facilities, community centres, and innovation hubs. So far, 18 community centres and three ICT hubs have been completed.
“Our goal is to build over 1,600 centres nationwide. We want every Nigerian to be part of our digital prosperity,” Inuwa said, stressing the importance of a sustainable model to operate these centres efficiently without relying on NITDA for minor issues.
He linked the initiative to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which identifies economic diversification and digital inclusion as top priorities. One of the Agenda’s seven key pillars is focused on accelerating diversification through industrialization, digitization, innovation, and the creative economy. “That’s why NITDA is building these centres—to ensure no Nigerian is left behind in our digital economy,” Inuwa explained.
Also present at the event, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani—represented by Johnson Bareyei, Director of e-Government—described the centre as a vital extension of government policy aimed at decentralizing opportunity and embedding innovation in everyday life.
He noted that the centre will support the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, serve startups and tech entrepreneurs, offer regulatory guidance, and foster collaboration among government, private sector, and local communities.
The establishment of ICT centres aligns with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020–2030), which emphasizes digital literacy and job creation as key pillars. The centres are instrumental in supporting innovation ecosystems by providing co-working spaces, tech incubation, and mentorship for startups. This is vital for a country seeking to diversify away from oil, where the ICT sector already contributed 16.66% to GDP in Q4 2023.
Hikmatu Bilali
He aims to transform daily commuting. With fresh ideas and solid experience, he envisions practical solutions to make mobility easier.
Samir Bennani, a seasoned Moroccan entrepreneur with expertise in finance and mobility, is at the forefront of innovating public transport solutions for emerging countries through his latest venture, Enakl. Launched in 2023, Enakl is a technology startup where Bennani serves as founder and Chief Executive Officer.
Enakl's flagship offering is a digital platform that connects commuters heading in the same direction with minibus operators. This service aims to streamline daily commutes by providing a practical and affordable option.
"Our promise is as follows: a guaranteed seat in a comfortable minibus, professional and punctual drivers, an affordable price for high quality of service, the possibility of booking recurring trips in advance, and a walking distance between the home and the pick-up point less than 500 meters," the startup explains.
Before establishing Enakl, Bennani founded Ma-Navette.com in 2010, another Moroccan mobility startup that he continues to manage. Ma-Navette.com operates in two key sectors: corporate transport and chauffeur-driven vehicle (VTC) services.
Bennani's extensive career in finance began after he earned a master's degree in finance from ESCP Business School in France. In 2001, he started as a consultant at the accounting firm Arthur Andersen Business Consulting. He then joined the Moroccan investment fund Al Mada Holding in 2005, where he worked as a project manager within the development and strategy department. From 2008 to 2010, Bennani held the position of Director of Strategy and Development at Wafa Assurance.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
He designs digital tools that are transforming the way Algerian businesses collaborate. Through his initiatives, he directly tackles the structural barriers of the local market to streamline exchanges.
Saïd Hamdani (photo), an Algerian entrepreneur specializing in technology and data management, has been a driving force in the country's digital transformation, notably through his ventures Rhinotenders and MERID Technology.
Hamdani founded Rhinotenders in 2016, a startup dedicated to streamlining business-to-business, supplier, and client relationships through digital solutions. The company established an online platform for tenders, consultations, and purchase requests in Algeria, enabling users to publish projects for commercial proposals or browse existing offers to foster new partnerships. This platform empowers companies to submit quotes online, attach necessary documents, pose questions to buyers, and track projects or profiles of interest. The aim is to boost company turnover while simultaneously cutting prospecting and purchasing costs.
In 2017, Hamdani expanded his digital footprint by founding MERID Technology, a firm focused on digital communication. MERID Technology provides a suite of services, including online marketing, web development, content management, and SEO. Since its inception, the company has supported 734 clients.
An industrial engineer, Hamdani graduated from the École nationale polytechnique of Algiers in 2013. He further honed his expertise with a master's degree in data management from the University of Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée in 2019.
His professional journey began in 2012 when he was appointed project manager of the Algerian Startup Initiative. The following year, he joined Unilever as a quality analyst, then served as a commercial analyst at Gulf Bank Algeria before moving to the consulting firm SDG Consulting. In 2014, he became an associate manager at Media Labs, an Algerian-based communication agency.
Between 2019 and 2023, Hamdani worked as a data management consultant for Société Générale Corporate and Investment Banking. Concurrently, from 2021 to 2023, he also served as a data and artificial intelligence consultant at Softeam, a subsidiary of Docaposte (La Poste Group) in France.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Africa has been progressing steadily in its digital transformation, driven by increased mobile internet usage, fintech advancements, and the rise of e-commerce platforms. However, internet shutdowns disrupt these vital sectors, create uncertainty, deter potential investors, and restrict growth opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs.
Tanzania has blocked access to X, formerly known as Twitter, following the hacking of the Tanzania Police Force’s official account, according to internet watchdog NetBlocks. The social media platform became unreachable across major Tanzanian internet service providers, including Halotel, Airtel, Liquid Telecom, Habari Node, and Vodacom.
⚠️ Confirmed: Live metrics show X (formerly Twitter) has become unreachable on major internet providers in #Tanzania; the incident comes as a compromised police account posts claims the President has died, angering the country's leadership pic.twitter.com/aLbrDmvkAd
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) May 20, 2025
NetBlocks reported that the police account, which has over 470,000 followers, was compromised early Tuesday and posted false claims, including that President Samia Suluhu had died. The account even broadcast live before authorities regained control and announced they were pursuing the hackers.
This incident occurred amid heightened political tension after several East African activists and lawyers were arrested or deported while attempting to observe opposition leader Tundu Lissu’s treason trial in Tanzania. Among those detained were Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire, who remain missing despite lawyers being informed they were to be deported, according to Amnesty International.
This development reflects a growing trend across Africa, where deliberate internet shutdowns have led to significant economic consequences. In 2024 alone, the continent suffered losses of approximately $1.56 billion, affecting more than 111 million users, according to Top10VPN data.
As mobile technology and internet access continue to expand, such disruptions pose a serious threat to Africa’s digital economy. They undermine communication, interrupt business operations, stall essential services, and ultimately deepen the digital divide, hindering inclusive economic growth and digital transformation efforts.
Hikmatu Bilali
He's banking on innovation to confront a critical challenge: security. Driven by a vision of accessibility and inclusivity, he's developing solutions poised to transform the daily lives of millions.
Nick Mills (photo), a South African tech entrepreneur, is one of the co-founders of Community Wolf, a startup specializing in the development of security solutions based on artificial intelligence (AI).
Founded in 2024 by Nick Mills and Michel Houghton, Community Wolf aims to enhance citizen safety through accessible technology. Its solution uses WhatsApp as a reporting channel for crimes and suspicious behavior.
Already used by millions in South Africa, the platform leverages the data it collects to anticipate criminal acts and improve public safety. By centralizing often fragmented information, it enables the creation of predictive models that serve the entire population.
Community Wolf recently secured £340,000 (approximately $455,000) in funding from the investment fund Fuel Ventures. For Nick Mills, this support is a major acknowledgment.
“This investment is a huge validation of our vision. Community Wolf started as a grassroots idea to help people feel safer in their own neighbourhoods, and we’ve seen just how transformative it can be. Fuel Ventures’ belief in what we’re building gives us the rocket fuel we need to scale our impact, both in South Africa and far beyond,” explains Nick Mills.
Before launching Community Wolf, Nick Mills had already built solid entrepreneurial experience. In 2020, he founded UMONDE Holding, an investment management firm focused on renewable energy storage technologies and blockchain. The following year, he became a founding member of Versofy Solar, a company offering solar subscriptions, where he remained managing partner until 2024.
Nick Mills holds a Bachelor of Science degree obtained in 2014 from the University of Cape Town. His professional career began in 2015 as part of the systematic trading team at iSam, an investment management company based in London, England.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) has launched the SA Tech Challenge 2025, inviting South African tech innovators to apply for a chance to win R1 million in funding (about $55,000), gain global exposure at the G20 Summit in Cape Town, and unlock major growth opportunities.
Applicants must be South African-owned and headquartered, post-revenue companies with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover under R250 million. Solutions must be at least at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7—beyond prototype and already in use—and address at least one of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with measurable impact and potential for global growth.
The challenge targets companies in six sectors: Digital Platforms, FinTech, Secured Digital Infrastructure, Circular Economy, Innovations for Connectivity, and Innovations for Development (including Agri-tech, Health-tech, and Ed-tech). Applications close on Monday, June 30, 2025.
The West African Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF) 2025 officially commenced on May 19 in Abuja, Nigeria, hosting its 17th edition at the Digital Economy Complex, NCC building in Mbora. The event, themed "Building a Resilient, Inclusive, and Safe Digital Future for West Africa," brings together stakeholders from across the region to advance internet governance.
Scheduled for five days, WAIG will strengthen the capacity of West African stakeholders by addressing key issues and emerging trends specific to the region, highlighting its growing influence in the digital landscape. The forum includes the School of Internet Governance, the Youth Internet Governance Forum, and main sessions featuring the African Parliamentary Track on Internet Governance.
Participants include policymakers, academics, private sector representatives, ECOWAS officials, and government bodies from across West Africa, all collaborating to promote a secure, inclusive, and resilient digital future for the region.
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By enabling trusted data sharing and safeguarding privacy, the strategy helps build a secure digital environment that encourages investment and innovation.
Kenya has officially launched its National Data Strategy and Policy, a milestone announced by the Principal Secretary for the State Department of ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, on May 19 via X. This initiative is set to fast-track the growth of Kenya’s digital economy by harnessing data as the backbone of artificial intelligence, digital entrepreneurship, smart public services, and evidence-based policymaking.
Eng. Tanui highlighted key objectives, including enabling trusted data sharing, protecting privacy under the Data Protection Act, breaking down institutional barriers to ensure interoperability, and spurring innovation through over 22,000 digitized eCitizen services and the Maisha Namba Digital Identity system.
To guide this transformative effort, a multi-stakeholder technical working group within the Ministry’s Data Directorate will spearhead the development of an inclusive, future-ready data framework. The government's commitment to this initiative is reinforced by partnerships with organizations such as the European Union Delegation to Kenya, GIZ Kenya, and the African Union Commission
This policy is particularly impactful for Kenyan citizens, as it aims to unlock economic value across sectors like agriculture, health, finance, and manufacturing. By promoting data-driven innovation and ensuring data privacy, the strategy supports job creation, equitable prosperity, and the development of open data platforms beneficial to youth and startups.
The Strategy aligns closely with the Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022–2032, which outlines a comprehensive framework to harness digital technologies for national development, focusing on four key pillars: digital infrastructure, digital government services and data management, digital skills, and digital innovation and enterprise.
Hikmatu Bilali
A finance graduate, he works in emergency and security services. Through his tech startup, he is rethinking solutions to security and efficiency challenges in Africa and around the world.
Warren Myers (photo), a South African finance expert and tech entrepreneur, is the founder of Aura, a smart emergency response platform that connects users to the nearest private armed or medical responder in real time.
Founded in 2017, Aura aims to make emergency services more accessible and affordable, especially in regions where public infrastructure is often overstretched. Using intelligent technology, the platform links individuals in distress to a network of verified private responders. In South Africa alone, Aura’s network includes more than 2,500 security personnel and healthcare professionals on standby.
Aura’s tech integrates seamlessly with existing client interfaces through APIs, WhatsApp, custom-built apps, or a range of IoT devices. This flexibility allows security and medical companies to reach new customers especially large corporations while diversifying revenue streams.
On May 16, 2025, the company, already operating in South Africa, Kenya, and the United Kingdom, announced it had raised $15.1 million to support its expansion into the United States.
“I'm incredibly grateful to our partners and customers for their ongoing trust and most importantly, to my exceptional team. Their dedication to our vision of a world where everyone feels safe is the true driving force behind everything we do,” Myers said in a statement.
Myers earned a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Finance from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2007. In 2009, he joined Myertal Tactical Security, a company focused on surveillance solutions, as Chief Operating Officer. He was promoted to CEO in 2010, a role he held until 2019.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
The used goods market presents significant opportunities through digitization. In Egypt, the startup Sylndr is aiming to become a leading player by focusing on technology, high-quality service, and transparency.
Sylndr is an e-commerce platform developed by an Egyptian startup. It allows users to buy, sell, finance, and service used cars through its web and mobile platforms. The Cairo-based startup was founded in 2022 by Omar El Defrawy.
It offers a mobile application available on iOS and Android, where it has already been downloaded more than 50,000 times, according to the Play Store. Users create an account with their personal information and can access Sylndr’s various services. The model it promotes aims to bring greater transparency and trust to a market that remains largely informal and fragmented. It also stands out through its quick buyback policy, six-month warranty on vehicles, and installment payment options.
On Tuesday, May 20, the startup announced a fundraising round of USD 15.7 million. “This fundraising enables us to scale nationally and expand our product offering, while continuing to build Egypt’s leading mobility platform,” said Omar El Defrawy in the statement released by the startup.
“And when we started to scale that business, it became very clear to us that the market is much bigger than that, and creating value to customers would require us to build other compelling businesses that integrate with what we’re doing,” he added.
In a context where new car prices continue to rise and consumers are looking for affordable alternatives, Sylndr is emerging as both a practical and accessible solution. The startup works with over a thousand dealerships across the country and supports its growth both online through its various channels and offline.
By Adoni Conrad Quenum,
Editing by Feriol Bewa
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Benin launches new AI-powered customs platform
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The platform enhances data sharing among trade actors, aiming to reduce fraud, speed up goods processing, and attract investment.
Benin has rolled out a new national intelligent customs management system, developed by trade facilitation technology firm Webb Fontaine, marking a significant stride in the West African nation's digital transformation efforts.
Webb Fontaine announced the official launch of Customs Webb on Wednesday, May 21. The new system is now operational across all of Benin's customs offices, including ports, airports, and land border posts, replacing the older ASYCUDA (SYDONIA) software.
Anicet Houngbo, Managing Director of Webb Fontaine Benin, stated that Customs Webb is designed to foster a "more efficient, less burdensome, transparent, and intelligent environment for customs operations," enabling Benin to fully leverage this technological advancement.
The platform's deployment was accelerated over 14 months without any disruption to ongoing customs activities. It incorporates artificial intelligence tools aimed at boosting transparency, efficiency, and the fluidity of trade. Since its implementation, the system has already processed over 100,000 customs declarations, recorded more than 200,000 payments, and issued 100,000 vehicle passes. It currently supports 800 active users and connects 95 organizations.
This initiative aligns with the Beninese government's digital strategy, launched in 2016, with the goal of positioning the country as a regional hub for digital services in West Africa. As part of this broader strategy, Benin previously rolled out the Single Window for Foreign Trade between 2018 and 2024, also in partnership with Webb Fontaine. This process included the progressive integration of tools such as the Port Community System and an electronic cargo tracking solution.
The new system significantly enhances the interconnection of Benin's primary trade platforms, enabling automatic data sharing among customs, port authorities, transporters, and banks. This improved interconnection is expected to expedite goods processing, mitigate fraud risks, and optimize tax revenue collection. Ultimately, it aims to bolster Benin's appeal to investors by offering a more transparent, faster, and more secure business environment.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji